Transporter, truck, and the like.



F. W. VICKEHY. TRANSPORTER, TRUCK, AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-19.1913.

Patented July 25, 1916.

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Mfaemskse@ F. W. VICKERY. TRANSPORTER, TRUCK, ARDTHE LIKE.

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Patented July 25, 1916.

F. W'. VICKERY. ',TRNSPOHTER, TRUCK, AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION man 1550.19. 1913.

oo Z m @MM m4 Am L i in /m 2 wm w 2 i Jn ew fm; K dw W a ,a A P N .-.Uw y 4 d IMO. nm, Y W m. l t 4,/ MW WN 2, ..w MM f m W ma ,um E W M FREDERICK WILLIAM VICKEBY, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO VICKERYS PATENTS LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

TRANSPORTER, TRUCK, AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Iuly 25, 1916.

Application led December 19, 1913. Serial No. 807,766.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK IVILLIAM VICKERY, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Connected with Transporters, Trucks, and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved truck of the general type shown in my prior British Patent No. 2951 of 1912 wherein the load is supported upon a platform which may be elevated relatively to the main frame by a pivotal movement of the truck handle; and the invention proposes certain improvements in the truck construction shown in said British patent having for their principal objects: 1. To require less power to lift the load. 2. To give the operator the option of lifting with one movement' of the handle or if he Wants to raise it higher to take the second movement of the handle or even a third, or as many as is demanded by the weight of the load to be lifted or the unevenness of the floors, and at each movement of the handle the load to be automatically locked.

My invention will be clearly understood from the following description aided by the annexed drawings which show therein by way of example, certain constructions for carrying my invention into effect.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a truck or transporter embodying one form of my invention and with the near side of the truck removed the platform being in the lowest position. Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 with the platform in a raised position due to one movement of the handle. Fig. 3 is a similar view to Figs. 1 and 2 but with the platform in a still higher position due to a second movement of the handle. Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 1, but showing the raising and supporting means for the platform of slightly different construction. The truck shown in part in the above figures is supported on six wheels the middle wheels acting as wheels on which the truck can be balanced so that the truck can be veasily moved about and it must be understood that, although not shown, the axle of the rear wheels and the platform are provided with the raising and supporting means the same as the front wheels for even movement of the platform, but such means are not necessarily connected with the handle, as tne movement by the platform will cause them to effect their movement in the proper manner as will be understood by reference to the following figures. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a complete truck or transporter (part of the handle bar being broken away) showing a modified construction of appliances for raising and supporting the platform, the platform being at its lowest position. Fig. 6 is an end view and Fig. 7 is a front elevation of one member of a clutch employed with another member of a clutch connected to the handle for operating the means for raising and supporting the platform. Fig. 8 is a similar view to Fig. 5 but showing the platform in a raised position due to one movement of the handle. Fig. 9 is also a similar view to Fig. 5 but showing the platform in a still higher position due to a second movement of the handle. Fig. 10 is a plan of the truck or transporter shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 11 is an end view of the truck or transporter shown in Fig. 5.

.To carry my invention into effect and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, I provide a bottom frame 1 with wheels 2 and spindles or axles 3 and also a top load platform 4 which is carried from the main frame 1 by a series of links, quadrants or equivalents 5 pivoted on the axles on the main frame 1 or on other axles projecting from the main frame 1 and operating on pins 6 or equivalents on the top load platform 4.

In the drawings (Figs. 1 to 3,) I have shown quadrants 5 instead of links butit must be understood that if I employ links they are fixed to the axle 3 in fan shapel and in consequence are practically the same as a quadrant and the end of each link is slotted as at Fig. 4, so that each can engage its co-acting pin 6 to lift the platform and in same manner the quadrant is slotted at 7 for the same purpose and for the purposes of this invention the reference to links includes quadrants having a slotted edge or the equivalent.

The slots 7 of all the links or the quadrant 5 may be the same distance from the axle 3 and the pins 6 in the top load platform 4 may be fixed at an angle as at Figs. 1 to 3, andthe space between the4 pins 6 or equivalents is sufficient vso that when one link or slot 7 of quadrant has passed over the vertical line of its pivot 3 and the next link or slot 7 of quadrant is on the other side of the vertical line of the pivot, with the two pins 6 therefore resting on the two links, or in two slots of the quadrant the load is supported with the platform 4 in a locked condition, owing to the load exerting an equal pressure on each link, or on the quadrant on each side of the pivot. The links instead of being slotted may in some other convenient way be allowed to engage and move with the pins 6 or equivalents. By having a series of links, a quadrantggr equivalent instead of one link as shown in my British patent mentioned above it saves one link having to move through such a large angle and insures that the link or portion of the quadrant carrying the load is nearly in a vertical position before it takes the load, and consequently it takes very little power to lift the load from .the nearly vertical to the vertical position, and of course a little over the vertical position. Just as soon as one link passes over the center and begins to drop the load, the next link engages the next pin and so lifts it up again, and when that link passes over the center the next link comes along and lifts it a further distance, and so on, until the distance that is required to be lifted is attained as will be understood from Figs. 2 and 3 and it will be seen that as each link passes over the center the load is locked.

According to the drawings Figs. 1 to 4, the handle 8 is pivoted to an axle 9 which is pivotally secured to the main frame 1 and extending across the truck at one end, and

on the axle 9 is fixed a disk 10 having slots 11. The axle 9 carries a lever 1,2 .which is connected by a link 13 with the quadrant 6 A. in Figs. 1 to 3 or a link 5 in Fig. 4 and the handle 8 is provided in the well known manner with a spring controlled locking rod 14 which is operated or released to engage either of the slots 11 in the disk so that when the handle is moved it will actuate the lever 12 and link 13 to move the links or quadrants. This means that the handle 8 can be constructed to give one movement for every link passing over the vertical center line of the pivots 3 and if the load is only required to be lifted say half distance only one'movement of the handle is given as in Fig. 2, but if this is not sufficient then the handle 8 is backed for the rod 14 to engage the other slot, and the handle is again moved to lift a second link and so on until as many links as neceary have been passed over the center-each link raising the load a small amount or other systems of moving the han dle may be adopted say by mounting the handle direct upon the axle 3 in which case the lever 12 and link 13 will not be required. Instead of having all the links the same length and pins fixed at an angle on the top platform as at Figs. 1 to 3 I may have the pins set in a straight line on the top platform and have the slots in the links of varying distances from the pivot 3 as at Fig. 4 whichever plan is most convenient. One of the links or quadrant 5 is connected by a rod 15 to the platform 4 to assist the links or the quadrant in the movement of the platform and take off some of the friction on the pins 6. By varying the length of the lever 12 and the position of the stud for the link 13 on the quadrant the amount of movement of the handle for a given movement on the quadrant can be regulated.

Instead of having links as illustrated and described in the British patent named above I may pivot to each axle or on pivots 3a as shown a link or quadrant 5a with a series of slots or teeth somewhat like a gear wheel and I may fix to the top platform a rack 6a equivalent to the pins 6 set at an incline, and to enable the locking to be effected and as will be understood by reference to Figs. 5 to 11, I connect the lever 13a on the shaft 3 carrying the quadrant or slotted links to a disklG on another shaft or stud 17 near the handle by connecting rods 18, 22, the two being connected together and to the lever 13t by a pin 19. The connecting rod 18 on the disk of the shaft or stud 17 is preferably pivoted to the disk at 20, in such manner that the connecting rod is able to pass across the center of the shaft or stud 17.' The object of this is that the connecting rod 18 can lock the load at its highest position from returning by passing its pivot pin 2O over the center line between the pin 19 and the stud 17 with the stud 21 engaging the frame of the machine so that the upward thrust on the connecting rod 18 will be prevented by the stud 21. Such stud or shaft 'is operated by the handle in some convenient way. The way in which I would prefer to do this will be explained later.

In the event of my wishing to lock the loady in more than one position and as more particularly shown in Figs. 5 to 11, I pivot as many connecting rods to the disk on the shaft 0 1 stud near the handle as the number of Ypositions in'which I. desire to lock the rai'sedplatform. .In these figures I show two', 18"and 22 for positioning the platform 4intwopostions. The connecting rod 22 is slottedfor in two pieces or in some way made 'l telescopic, in order that it may automatically lengthen or shorten tocompensate for variations in the distance between the pivot 23 on the disk 16 and the pivot 19 on the lever 13`ixed to the slotted quadrant or slotted link shaft. That is to say the pivots 23 and 19 will always be varied 1n distance between each other. This is allowed for by the slot or the telescopic motion. It will be understood'that only one of the connecting rods, namely the rod 18, and the stud 21 take the 10nd atthe highest position (see Fig. 9) and when the rod 22 passes over the center line intersecting the pivots 23, 19 and 17 the connecting rods 22 and 18 are one on each side of the center so that the pressure of the load will be exerted on the two connecting rods-one each side of the center of the stud or shaft near the handle 2st,*thereby locking the load in the first raised position as at Fig. 8, the rod 22 being fully telescoped so as to take the thrust as shown. I usually find that two connecting rods are suiiicient for all practical purposes. It is usually convenient for the handle 24 to be moved through 900, that is, from vertical to horizontal, and I connect the handle to the aforesaid stud or l shaft 17. Y

lVhen I use slotted links or a slotted quadrant with pins or rack on the top carrying platform, I provide a stirrup or keeper 25 which extends between the top platform and the shafts 3 carrying the slotted quadrant or links and insures that the pins or rack carried by the top platform cannot come out of alinement with the slots of the quadrant or link.

It is necessary that the handle 2i be capable of being connected and disconnected to the disk and shaft carrying the studs and connecting rods. I iind the most convenient Way of doing this is as followsz--The ordinary drag handle 24 I attach to a cross head 26 which is fixed to the vertical pivot 27 of the guide wheels 28 and I construct the drag handle so that it can have a ceru tain amount of slidable movement in the cross head 26, and I prefer to construct the lower part of the handle in the form of a fork 29-one member on each side of the cross head attached to or sliding on a spindle 30 in the cross'head. To one member of the drag handle I attach clutch studs 31 (one square and one round in cross section) or the one member of a clutch. These studs 31 or clutch member I prefer to arrange at each side of the center of the spindle 30 passing through the cross head 26; this insuring that When the handle 2li is moved to slide into engagement with the other part 3 4 of the clutch (provided with the clutch openings T52-33) on the shaft 17 carrying the connecting rods,` the strain sha1 be evenly distributed and there shall .be no tendency to swivel around on the guide Wheel vertical pivot 27, as would be the case if the clutch member was made on one part of the center only.

Fixed to the main frame 1 and in a line with the spindle 30 upon which the handle 24 slides in the cross head 26 is the shaft 17 carrying the connecting rods. When the handle is vertical then the clutch at tached to one member of the handle is in line with the clutch 211 fixed on the shaft carrying the connecting rods, and by moving the handle and making it slide in the cross head or on the spindle in the cross head, the two clutch members are made to engage and a movement of the handle to the horizontal position thereby actuates the connecting rods and raises the load. When the handle has been moved (for raising the load) from the vertical to the horizontal position it is then put out of engagement with the members of the clutch by sliding sidewise and is thereafter raised again to a vertical position. When reaching the ver'- tical position it is again put into engagement and another lift taken on the load. It is understood that the connecting rods lock the load when the handle is taken out of engagement with the clutch. As many movements of the handle are required as there are connecting rods, although it is generally understood that there is no occasin to lift the load to the full extent allowa e.

I prefer to mount the shaft to which the connecting rods 18-22 are attached in some suitable bearing or in some other suitable way on the bottom frame 1 at such a height and in such a position that it is in line with the spindle 30 in the'top cross head of the vertical pivot of the steerabley wheels 28 when the axis of the handle is parallel to the axis of the main Wheels 2.'

Somewhere on the frame, preferably on the front, I position a pedal 35 by means of which the operator may move the handle to eect the engagement or disengagement of the companion clutch parts.

The disk 34 is provided with stop lugs 36 and 21 to limit the movement of the shaft 17 in either direction.

It is understood that the above description discloses merely a convenient Way of carrying my invention into effect and that I do not restrict myself to constructions exactly as described. 1

What I do claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 14. In an apparatus of the class described, in combination, a main frame, a platform movable vertically of said frame, connections between the platform and the 'frame to support and operate the former, said connections having a plurality of 1nterengaging elements, a handle arranged at the end of the frame, and means whereby the h andle may be operatively connected to or disconnected from said connections, said handle being pivotally movable in a vertical plane and actuating said connections in their platform elevating function, the elements being self locking to prevent descent of the platform at the completion of each operative movement of the handle.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, in combination., a main frame, a platform movable vertically of said frame, a handle arranged at the end of the frame and pivotally movable in a vertical plane, connections among the platform, frame, and handle to support thel platform from the frame and to elevate the platform consequent to a pivotal movement of the handle, said connections having a plurality of inter-engaging elements and means for engaging and disengaging the handle relatively to the connecarranged at the end of the frame andpivotally movable in a vertical plane, connections among the platform, frame, `and handle to support the platform from the frame and to elevate the platform consequent to a pivotal l movement of the handle, and means for engaging and disengaging the handle relatively to the connections to provide for a step-by-step operation of said connections consequent to repetitions of the operative pivotal movements of the handle, the connections being self locking to prevent descent of the platform at the completion of each operative movement of the handle, and including quadrants provided on the frame and havin edge recesses and devices on the platform or engagement by said recessed quadrants.

In testimony'whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

W. O. BROWN, FRED L. HUTCHINGS. 

